We need to work together for a stronger Kincardine

To the Editor:

The following is an open letter to the Kincardine community.

I welcomed the opportunity to be elected a member of Kincardine council with an enthusiasm to challenge status quo, contribute meaningfully to informed discussions, assist to advance the municipality, advocate for the betterment and inclusivity of all people, and to further my dedication to public service.

Following my arrival on council, I was met with comments, such as don’t ask too many questions; it’s not necessary to read the reports or agendas, just vote with what the staff recommends to keep things moving; and I soon understood that new councillors are annoying because they need so much information catch-up.

I have also heard comments from the community that I am part of the old boys’ club, that I may have contributed to racism and upon sharing that I am indigenous (Metis) and that I bring cultural diversity to council, my comment was labelled tokenism.

The resignation of mayor Anne Eadie was in one instance, surprising, and in another, not. I have come to learn there has been, and continues to exist, a culture of animosity, which easily permeates within an organization, contributes to a lack of morale, and impedes organizational advancement. It is difficult to influence a positive organizational culture when we fail to exemplify a baseline of respect.

Council has been made aware of a petition requesting a by-election for the office of the mayor. As leaders, we need to be responsive to the community and recognize the democratic process is only as great as the people who participate in it. The next municipal election is October, 2022, and while a by-election may cost upwards of $50,000, as elected members, representative of the broader community to which we are accountable, we need to pause and appreciate that the democratic process – akin to office of the mayor - is greater than any one person.

Over the past many months – specifically since the vandalism that took place Nov. 29, 2020, when signs stating “It’s okay to be white,” were put up on sign-posts throughout downtown Kincardine - I have experienced attacks that are antagonistic and border harassment. Recognizing my responsibility and accountability to the community, I would like to offer and reiterate:
 

• It is important to appreciate that each of us will have a different approach to achieve a desired outcome. I do not seek to contribute to indecorous discourse. My approach is one whereby I seek to create understanding through advocacy, awareness, education and diplomacy.

 

• It is important to be conscious of racism and to advance cultural sensitivity awareness training (re: new staff onboarding and annual refresher).

 

• As an indigenous (Metis) person, I was proud to have advocated and endorsed a recommendation from the arts, culture and heritage committee specific to the land acknowledgement statement, as one of many first-steps on our journey of reconciliation.

 

• I support council creating a standing committee-of-council for diversity, inclusion and equity - comprised of appointed community members reflective of our celebrated diversity.

 

• I strive to contribute informed decisions, which are evidence-based, or of a generally-accepted principle. It is my motivation to advance decisions through the lens of every person regardless of gender, religion or identification.

 

• I believe in and support a fundamental understanding that all people and all lives matter and that everyone has a voice; everyone has a story and we are on this journey together. However, I was not aware, until it was recently brought to my attention, that I may have, inadvertently, contributed untoward sentiment with comments of ‘all lives matter,’ an apparent suggestive statement coined by groups operating from an oppressive context. I intend to offer comments as empathy, support and compassion, and I offer apologies for contributing to a narrative I did not intend.

I have been asked what am I about, and I want to offer that I seek to advance the interests of the community in the following ways:
 

• Affordable housing and economic development
• Hospital redevelopment, as well as physician and provider recruitment
• Street patios and the downtown promenade
• Traffic calming along Kincardine’s Highway 21 corridor
• Introduction of a diversity, inclusion and equity committee-of-council
• Local recreation and tourism opportunities
• Blue Flag designation and beach life-safety recommendations
• Heritage Conservation District
• Environmental policy development reflective of a robust tree-replanting policy of 3:1 on municipal property and a framework which articulates expectations and responsibilities of the municipality and private property owner

We may not always agree on the approach or the best path forward. We have to also put into perspective that we can agree to disagree and that is ‘ok,’ this is what is awesome about democracy. In a democracy, we have fundamental freedoms of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and media communication; however, we do not have licence to incite, contribute or exacerbate an unbecoming narrative of division and intolerance.

We need to have a measured level of compassion and respect toward each other and acknowledge that sincerity in spoken word is meaningful when we do not attempt to find motive whereby the expression is taken out of context and used to contribute or arouse impure discourse.

We need to demonstrate accountable and responsive leadership. We have serious challenges which require steadfast leadership. We need to be decisive, progressive and committed in our approach and never lose sight of who matters most - the community as a whole. Council and the community have a synergistic interest to effectively contribute to changing the narrative.

My commitment and motivation have not wavered from the time I joined council – let’s continue to work together for a stronger Kincardine.

Gerry Glover
Ward 1 councillor
Municipality of Kincardine